Diverse approaches to learning in rural and development studies: review of the literature from the perspective of action learning

Abstract

In loosely structured environments such as rural areas, the objectives and methods to encourage knowledge creation and learning are still much debated, leading to a wide diversity of learning systems. Using action-learning theory as a standpoint from which to understand this diversity, a review of the literature was conducted and five specific approaches were identified: (1) extension, (2) community learning, (3) organizational capacity building, (4) empowerment, and (5) social learning. Extension systems and organizational capacity building represent an operational perspective mainly focused on acquiring knowledge and changing practices, through single-loop learning processes. Community learning and empowerment were developed as alternative systems, focusing on changes in values, which can be achieved through double-loop learning. Social learning provides insight into the capacity to influence a wider environment through triple-loop learning, although methods are still rarely formalized. The action-learning perspective enables an understanding of the complementarities between approaches, and thus provides insight into how to devise better learning systems.

Keywords:

• learning loops
• knowledge sharing
• socio-technical systems
• facilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their very constructive comments, which greatly helped us improve our message.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emilie Coudel

About the authors

Emilie Coudel is a junior researcher at Cirad. Her doctoral research in Rural Economics dealt with learning for territorial development, based on the example of a Farmer University in Brazil. She spent 2 years in Brazil accompanying the farmers in their projects after they completed the Farmer University. Using organizational learning theory, she analyses how these actors have become empowered to participate in territorial governance. She is currently working on environmental services delivered by small-scale farmers in the Amazon region.

Jean-Philippe Tonneau is a senior researcher in Agronomy and Geography at CIRAD (Agricultural Research for Developing Countries). He is director of the Tetis Research Unit on spatial information. His research includes agrarian systems, regional development, and territorial governance. His recent works focus on the participatory dimension and partnerships in innovation processes, and has worked in arid areas in Africa and Brazil. He is currently a lecturer in the department of economics, social studies, and management at SupAgro Montpellier.

Hélène Rey-Valette is a senior lecturer in the Economics Department of Montpellier 1 University. Her theoretical research specialization includes institutional economics, as well as systems approach. She is a specialist in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), particularly of sustainable development indicators and evaluation, operational tools for the integrated management planning and the public participation process in decision making and governance.